Rust Never Sleeps by Gator Pit of Texas
Вставка
- Опубліковано 27 чер 2024
- Ritch, Owner of Gator Pit of Texas, shows you what years of neglect to your Cooker can mean. It doesn't matter who made your Cooker, if you don't give it a little TLC, you will be repairing or buying another in the years to come. A lot of folks don't know or think to "maintain" their outdoor cooking equipment. Or, they put it off for another time. It is to show you that you have to take care of your cooker the same as your home, car, boat, motorcycle, etc. If you don't, you will have problems with the product functioning efficiently and costs to repair can be great. Don't change the oil in the motor and it will break down. Your cooker is no different. Keep your cooker regularly cleaned out. Especially, ash. It is acidic. Cancer to a cooker's firebox, especially. Keep moving parts lubricated. Touch up paint periodically. A good thorough cleaning inside and out two - three times a year will add life to your cooker. The owner of this cooker ended up buying new. Yes, we may have been able to "temporarily" give it life. But, the metal under the food chamber was rusted thin. He would have ended up with a nice new firebox that would have then outlasted the original sections of the cooker and be right back were he started. You get to a point where new vs repair. This customer not only chose to go new, but he got a nice customized Gator with features he wanted. He was able to personalize the new cooker and using this old cooker for years, made it easier for him to decide what he wanted in a custom Gator Pit.
www.gatorpit.net
www.gatorpitbbqschool.com
#gatorpit
I thought he was going to tell us how the pit was negotiated but he spent all of his time braking down the quality of the pit lol we get it man you make good Barbque pits
i kept waiting for him to draw his gun and empty his clip on that pit
Hahahaha
Yeah man i was so fucking scare 😅😁😊
....... Magazine.
That would be a Hickok 45 move
Magazine. Empty the magazine.
going home and hug my pit Today.
I visited Lowe's and they have everything I need to take care of my gatorpit. Paint, sandpaper, putty knives, and brushes. Firebox has a little rust here and there, but it's all gone. Thanks for this video Ritch!
+MishaTal1 You are welcome. What his video is for. Glad you found it informing. Ritch
sandblasting ...a lil high temp paint . new fire box.. couple new handles shes good as ever
i agree
You can’t sandblast and paint this for $200.00. Maybe, if you have the tools and equipment to do yourself. And, the know how. Maybe. What everyone says. But, find a shop to repair this for $200.00. Not happening.
@@GatorPitofTexas also hard to sandblast something that’s falling out of the bottom lol
I own a Brinkmann stick burner that I have had for 17 years and paid $299. 1/4" steel. It sits on the patio uncovered but with a roof over it and has no mods other than after market flat iron grill surfaces. I clean out the ash after every use, season it inside and out twice a year with canola oil spray. Once about 3 years ago I hit it with a wire brush and re-painted it with hi-temp spray paint. It has the butterfly style burn control. It is as good as the day I bought it and the oil burn on the outside prevents rust very well just like a cast iron skillet. I have cooked on other smokers but there is no difference in food quality once you get to know yours. I would love to own a high quality beast like the Gator but I really see no need.
I bought an old school 1/4" thick Brinkmann Cimarron off Marketplace for $30 last year, and it just needed to be sanded/painted. I wire wheeled it inside and out, and painted it with hi temp paint, and while the interior of the firebox is unfortunately starting to flake from rust, it's still in overall good condition. I clean out the firebox after every use, and I'll spray the outside of it with canola oil after every couple of uses. Still does a good job.
I appreciate the video. I'm still using a budget low quality pit at the moment but I have my eye on one of the high quality models such as your backyard classic. While mine has never looked this bad, I realized after this video that I was neglecting it just the same. Thanks to you I now maintain my pit and when I finally save enough for a high quality one, I'll be in the habit of maintaining it properly.
You guys really make a damn nice smoker. Ahhhh, I could only dream. Keep up the good work bro.
whoa nelly! dude if your gonna scrap that i'll buy for scrap and fix it,im a welder also and you know like i do it wouldnt be that hard.just might not be worth your time though,cause time is MONEY!!
BAR 20 BBQ right
Great advice bro. I appreciate you make the point with no apologies. I just finished my mods and have two cooks under my belt with the new smoker. I immediately thought "Well damn, the paint's gone on the firebox already and I got moisture inside. I need to figure out how to maintain this thing so it lasts a while. I appreciate your video. Thanks for taking the time to make it.
Sean McMann very welcome. Ritch
Thanks for stressing the importance of maintaining your pit.
Great video. Honest info.
I learned , and I thank.
When you finally said holy shit I was like yes! I’ve been saying it since the video started. 🤣
All of a sudden I am happy with the status of my pit..... I got 5 more years to go by the looks of it :)
Thank you for your illustration of just how bad neglect can wreak havoc on the demise of what was a relatively nice cooker. The fire box was a sad execution of manufacturing. Steel way too thin to be of any good longevity. Your explanation is excellent. People invest a quite a bit of money, use the pits for 10 to 15 years and the only requirement if you want to keep your pit is to clean it once in a while or at least twice a year minimum. Love your videos.
+rgoidel Thanks for the positive feedback. Ritch
Hey Rich.. Thanks for pointing all these things out. What I do is show people how to take free bbq grills off of craiglist etc and making something workable out of them. You have shown all the pros and cons. I will link your video often. Thanks bro. By the way, I have a Uniflame 4 burner that I got for nothing and fixed. It works as good as any because I can weld and modify.
Yep definitely from neglect by the owner, I learned about corrosion very fast when I was in the service. Going out to sea all the time and salt air would cause anything to corrode, you have to take care of your equipment with a proactive approach. A corrosion inhibitor is always good to use.
GREAT VIDEO THANKS FOR THE INFORMATION. I WILL ALWAYS CLEAN MY PIT AFTER EACH USE BECAUSE I DON'T COOK ON IT THAT OFTEN. I DON'T THINK A LOT OF THE FOLKS COMMENTING NEED TO BE TELLING YOU HOW TO DO ANYTHING. I DOUBT THERE IS A BETTER PIT THAN THE ONES YOU BUILD.
Thanks, Ritch Robin
Great video.. good info
Great video Rich!!! Very informative on how to treat your pit. I live in Baltimore, and I am a "grill master". But I've never owned a true smoker, therefore, I am not a true Pit Master. I want soo badly to long smoke a brisket the Texas way. As soon as I hit the lotto, I'm gonna come to Texas and buy an entry level backyard smoker from either Gator, or LSG.
Just cut the fire box off and weld on a new one...
right
The best comment so far.
This whole video is a guy trying making uncomplicated things sound complicated lol
@@texasdirtbikerider3335 Ain't that the truth.
Y'all missed the point. It's not about this particular smoker, but to raise awareness on what happens if you don't maintain your shit.
It seemed like that pit hurt this man's heart
This is the best Video Ever Thank You Rich. I clean my Pit after every 2 Cooks!!! It only takes 20 minutes to clean. Gator Master!!! Holy Shit. Oysters & Leaves ❤️😎🇺🇸
I was waiting for him to pull out a pearl! :)
@@ericblomquist1975 LOL I wish.
I've got an old Traeger (1998) with one very long wooden handle and it is in very good shape. I am finally refurbishing the metal for the 2nd time. Always kept covered.
2bless8 Arrh Traegers were much better made back then when they didn't outsource to China. Yours was probably still made in the USA
Yes it was made in the USA and I had it refurbished right in Mt. Angel.
I have an 18 year old pit with butterfly style vents that works as well as the day I bought it, there's nothing wrong with the vents, they just need to be taken care of.
My dads pit is 30+ years old and his butterfly vent still works fine the smoker itself is still great
he probably takes care of it is the point
Probably one of the best videos I've seen on smokers. At first I was upset when I saw him beating the shit out of this smoker. After I realized how bad of shape it was in he should have just taken it to the dump or emptied a clip into it. I hate how people think they shouldn't clean pits ever. I clean mine every 2 weeks. I own a BBQ business and people freak out when I tell them I clean my pits all the time.
This is the first time I've seen his video and can tell by his shop floor that he does quality work just look how clean everything is I was going to say sandblast the pit but I don't think there would be anything left better just sell it for scrap and build a new one that ash rake is the ticket
I kept waiting for you to find a pearl!
Eric Blomquist LOL
i really need to work for these guys, i LOVE to design and fab pits ! i just love to weld !
Great video and nice xds brother.
Ah...that black stuff is where the flavor comes from! That kind of "Seasoning" takes time to be that good! You simply cant rush exotic flavors 😋....hmmm hmmm good.
I neglected mine if only I put a cover over it now I have a hug hole in it
Of course a gun is necessary especially in bbq grill videos. You just never know...
I think this video is a perfect example of how a professional can be negative instead of positive... He should have took that smoker to another professional that would've told him yes we can restore it for you..
Abcdef 12345 Read further on these comments and you will find an employee that works for the manufacturer of this Pit’s comments. I never said it couldn’t be restored. Costs to “restore” compared to buying new, is what one needs to consider. Simple. Being realistic.
i work for the company who built this pit. yes the doors are 3/16. and it can be fixed, cut the firebox off add a new one, maybe $250
+masa cure Folks there you go. For those of you that have this brand cooker, contact Masa Cure. As he stated,he or his employer can do for around $250.00. You can have your old firebox replaced. That is one heck of a deal.
Don't stop till you find that tire rim.
Lol
I bet the food that came off that hot mess was first class...
Yes!!! He carries!!!!
Every day. :)
15 years n of life for a pit is great!! for me lol
For a lot of BBQ pits, 15 years is pretty dang great.
+Gator Pit how long do your grills last?
+Gator Pit nevermind. ..just saw your video on your custom pits.... Awesome!!
You can make a pit last 100 years if you take care of it.
Awesome
WOW That's Crazy!!
I have the same smoker without the upright. got it used.
Gator don't play no shit Gator never been about that, Never been about playin no shit - will ferrell
LOL
what would you rather use on a grill. heavy-duty door hinges or hinges like the ones on that grill?
Hinges are not bad. Keep this type lubricated and clean and probably never have issues.
I used 5/8" thick steel to build a firebox !
Won't be replacing that one, even with neglect. :)
Bust out the side arm to get that rust out, I mean the scaling gun 👍🏼👊🏼
Know this is old but maybe will help someone. When I used a stick burner I had the same one 22 years. Never touched up or repaired other than a shelf runner needed re welding. As soon as it was cool enough (not cold) I would scrape and brush out the fire box then spray the whole inside with Pam. The main chamber I would wipe down (wash the shelfs) then spray with Pam. Wipe down the outside with a damp cloth, when dry rub with a cloth soaked in WD40. Took a little longer to fire up as was basically re seasoning but as far as I know it is still going 5 years later with the guy I gave it to. Broke down and bought a pellet smoker as getting to old to look after a 18/ 20 hour slow cook on it :(.
+Grant Tabor A little attention adds years to your cooker.
+Grant Tabor What does the WD40 do to the exterior?
Everything has a price tag on it no matter what an owner does with their pits. I would have rather seen the guy tell more about how to maintain the pit than to hear all the bad stuff about it.
Bob Remlap Viewmy other vids. I have pit care tips in my "seasoning" and "cooking" vids.
ash is alkaline
Mine is in same condition I replaced the fire box myself under 100 bucks
How can I prevent internal AND external rust on my 1/4" steel firebox? In the last few days, the external area of the firebox has gotta bright orange with rust. Thanks
+Danny Bruce Keep the ash cleaned out regularly. It is acidic and more so with moisture combined. Keep the exterior touched up. As you notice rust starting, wire wheel off, hand sand off, etc and clean the area free of dirt, rust, grease. Immediately touch up the area with high heat paint. You can periodically coat the exterior with WD40. Exterior only. Lubricate door hinges and work the lubricant into the hinges by working the door back and forth. Interior, coat with cooking oil between cooks. This provides a protective coating between cooks. And, if not using the firebox food tray, remove it when smoking only. That will prematurely burn out the grill firebox food tray. A cooker is no different than anything else you own. You wash and wax cars, change the oil, etc. to ensure longevity of the vehicle. You repaint and re-caulk your home every so many years. Wax your wood floors or clean your tile. A Cooker is no different. Neglect it, and expect problems down the road. I have found that a lot of folks expect more from a 1000 dollar cooker than their 40,000 dollar car or 200K home. You take care of your Cooker and you will enjoy years, if not a lifetime, of cooking. Hope this helps. Ritch Robin
u was going to show me how to take care of it and fix it
not butch how bad the pit was
not to porfersonal of u
Fat Cajun Here you go: Keep ash out regularly. Keep all hinges lubricated regularly. Knock off surface rust as it appears and touch up with high heat BBQ paint. Available at most hardware stores. Grease caster bearings and axles regularly. Pressure spraying a few times a year helps knock off build up inside. Coat interior with cooking oil periodically to keep food grates from rusting between cooks. If you cook often, not so necessary as the meat fats will keep the grates oiled. Replace fire grate when they are burnt out (and they will). They are "consumables" in a smoker or grill. Don't lay coal or wood on the belly of the cooker. Always on a fire grate. If you don't do this, you will have what you see in this video. A filthy rust bucket. Enjoy, Ritch
thank u
Porfersonel??!! Damn dude, we live in the age of spell check. Wow.
nope
On the inside of the pit?? How soon can I cook with? Do I need to heat for an hour at 400 first? With smoke?? C'mon man, a little help
I think I'll go out and clean out my smoker, even though it was 100 new char boil, it still cooks great, my fire box is getting rusty
Does it make a difference if we put the fire directly on the metal of the firebox compared to using is using ash/charcoal grate to keep the fire off from from being in direct contact with the bottom of the firebox? I am referring to in terms of longevity
You want to build a fire on a fire grate of some kind. It can make a difference in a good clean burning fire or not. Also, your pit may have a longer lifespan.
I bet you never get any customer complaints wearin' that yeh handgun sir! :)
I'm in CO and we have pretty cool open carry laws here, but at the same time we have a bunch of liberal braindeads who complain if they even see a bulge in your pants, can you image how often they harass me when I'm not even carrying! lol
I use my shopvac to clean out my pit after every use.
Looks like my LyfeTyme pit.
Extra flavor 😂
I’m just getting into offset smoking and I got my eye on the Oklahoma joe highland and the old country wrangler which would you go with?
They are very comparable cookers in size, features, material. Old Country is the pricer of the two. If looking at price comparison with features of each, the Oklahoma Joe would be the one. I can't see the price difference in the Old Country at $200.00 more. I just don't see where the extra $200.00 is. Steel thickness is comparable. Both have the grill firebox with top hot plate. Both have wagon wheels, etc. I'd go OJ. Now go get it, season it, put some meat on and enjoy. Ritch
Gator Pit thanks man you helped out a lot!
@@sillery3439 You are welcome. Glad to be of assistance. Enjoy that smoker. Ritch
Haha your face at 12:23 lol
Great tutorial... I live in California can I get a gator pit🤔
We ship to Cali almost weekly. We do a lot of business in California. :) Contact me direct info@gatorpit.net and we can discuss your needs and I can suggest a Gator Pit smoker/grill for you. Thanks, Ritch
How long or how many times should I season a 8ft by 30" diameter pit, also what temperature should I keep the pit at. Do your recommend peanut oil the inside and WD40 the out side of the pit?
John Doe, you should only need to season a smoker once, unless you were to clean it back down to the bare metal, after the initial seasoning process. The pit is first seasoned. When you cook on it, it will continue to "season". To clean, you should only knock off any loose gunk that builds up on the walls and clean out the bottom where it all falls and grease may build up. Yes, to peanut oil inside and yes to WD40 outside (ONLY). Temp should be the same as cooking. Anywhere between 225 to 275 degrees on a smoker. Enjoy your cooker. Ritch
Gator Pit could you please shoot a video or guide of how to season a bbq pit.
Thanks
BBQ365/PitMaster
you make good stuff. no question. BUT, that's not a 'totaled' smoker. If you can weld or know someone who can that would be a steal for what something new, comparable would cost. The cooking chambers looked solid. (Bet that's a Kimber, btw)
I am building a smoker and I am nearly about to put paint on. Should i also paint the inside of the smoker and firebox?
Ron van Asseldonk No. Clean the inside out, but do not paint the inside.
Can you put foil in bottom of pit to clean out better and faster ?????????
Jim Nelson By all means.
I've had a smoker for a little over a year. I can see small signs of rust starting to form inside. My pit is outside and I use it all winter long in subzero weather. Is there any high heat paint I can hit the spots with? I'm probably overreacting, but the smoker was a gift and I really want to keep it for many years. Thanks in advance!
Go to Home Depot and purchase Rustoleum High Heat BBQ Black paint. You can get in quarts or spray cans. Follow application directions on the can. Hope this helps. Ritch
Thank you! And it's safe to use inside the grill?
@@12Daze DO NOT paint the inside of your cooker. Outside only.
One day I will own me a good ol Gator Pit!!!!!! One day....
You actually spent 20 min raging on a rusty pit. I got that in the first 2 min. I got it , its rusted out. What I THOUGHT you were going to show, and should have was to move onto a new pit and show how to maintain it over 15 years. I learned nothing other than you like to pack a gun at your welding shop. Ok. Whatever.
ghanus2009 Don't be so quick to talk negatively. Read the details to the video and my responses to comments. You will get your answers. READ. And, don't be so concerned about an American exercising his 2nd Amendment right and under Texas Laws, I have the right to carry openly or concealed. Have a great day. Ritch munchkinwrangler.wordpress.com/2007/03/23/why-the-gun-is-civilization/
well i checked, thats just for the material, labor would cost more. i think a cover would be cheaper. i dont want to say which company i work for but if i had a choice i would prefer a gator pit, our pits are kind of " run of the mill"
All the thumbs down were by lazy dirty people who don't clean or maintain their bbq pit !
Hard to get a door vent to open if you keep kicking it in the closed position over and over.
Kicking in attempt to get the rust lose between the metal. Obviously, I pulled on the handle and it still would not rotate. It wasn't going to rotate, same as the door handle didn't move. Enjoy the channel.
Smokers and guns! AMERICA!!! 🇺🇸
Yes, Sir. God, Guns, and Family. And, fire and cooking bring us all together. #USA
What's the best way to cut a BBQ door cleanly
What gun is that? The grip safety is similar to Springfield armory's.
Looks like my XDS45 by the grip pattern. I change what I carry often. Usually due to what I am wearing dictates what I carry.
I have the XDM. Thanks for the reply.
Great video! Quick question, my fire box leaks smoke through the lid. Is that normal or should I seal it with gaskets?
If your cooker is leaking and it is significantly causing you heat retention issues, try sealing it somehow. I am assuming it has a top door lid, you are referring to. Depending on the design of the door, you may be able to find some type of seal/gasket you can attach to the outer side that will overlap the leaky gap. Good luck.
nice lyfetyme pit
How should a gator pit be maintained and seasoned? Where are your gloves?
Plenty of those vids on our channel. Enjoy them.
I cleaned my cooker this weekend but started cleaning it today again. Guy looks to angry and with that gun on his belt I just had to listen
Uhhh you're turning the air vent the wrong way... of course it won't work.. lol.. too funny
As we say here in Louisiana, Shoot It !!!!!!!!
my grease drain hole is like a 3/16th inch in diameter. i unclog it, then a few minutes later its clogged up again. im ready to just drill a hole in it myself. other than that, i just have a door leak, and and the whole pit is leaning backwards a good bit. i only had it for about 8 months, but i want a new pit something MUCH higher quality.
Hamers it like 50x
"Thats what you dont want"l
I'm cleaning my grill right now and giving it a fresh high heat paint job.
Lol On 6:27 he says he will shoot the handles and he will bust a cap.
Welder with a gun, hahaha Classic!
These man heart is in pain it just a pit lmao
Because He has a pistol strapped on I'm thinking did He hit that pit 5 or 6 times? Do you feel lucky?
I thought he was gonna shoot it at the end. I'm a bit disappointed...
Don't want to waste ammo on an already dead horse. LOL
i would like 2 thank u 4 t good video u make and also t best pits i seen , i do a little welding myself n made a few pit am not a welder but i do it more as a pass time . Iam handicap had my leg work on ever since i was 5 years old iam going 2 b 60 this year n most of my time iam along at t house n also pack like u very nice . Now iam working on a grill with a fire box n also a horizontal 4 my brother who lives in San Angelo tx i lve in South Texas good luck in t future ( Gilly )
Thank you and enjoy building. Great pride and joy building something from raw materials. Ritch Robin
@@GatorPitofTexas i love ur work n vedios i have a question can i use cold roll steel or hot roll b better 4 a pipe pit ends thank u 🙏🇺🇸
Gilberto Rojas Cold cost more $. Harder steel. If you have it, use it. If not, buy hot and save. Not needed.
@@GatorPitofTexas thanx a lot 🇺🇸🙏
Do you sand the rust out inside too ?
You should. Certainly do not want the interior to have rust. Keep cooking oil inside between use, if you do not cook a lot. If you cook regularly, it will not rust.
@@GatorPitofTexas even if it has rust I can season it with oil and should hold up ok?
@@grilledchickenwrap Need clean the rust out, cooking oil inside, fire up and season it. But, get the rust off the interior walls and grates.
Haha, just saw that he's LARPing. Hilarious.
chronocide I’ll bite. What is “LARPing?”
@@GatorPitofTexas its "Live Action Role Playing". When children do it they call it "playing dress up".
chronocide I don’t “roll play” anything. Feel free to visit my shop and I’ll give you a tour. Be happy to introduce myself to you, show you around, sit and chat about anything you want to chat about. And, then you can can call it what you want. I am no different in person than you see in over 400 UA-cam videos, thousands of social media posts, pics, several TV shows, etc of me. I don’t “roll play.”
Very informative! Thanks for posting this video. I didn't know about the acidic nature of the ash causing issues with the firebox. You guys seem to really know your shit. I would buy one for sure if I could afford it. don't see any of those so called $500 pits on your website.
Clearly acknowledging your second amendment rights in the video is commendable.
+Randy O'Connor Thanks for the positive feedback. Ritch
For all you scientists out there that want to correct me for not being perfect in my using of acidic over corrosive, here: Is wet ash corrosive? Long-term exposure to wet ash can corrode metal.
Point was, DON’T LEAVE ASH IN YOUR COOKER FOR LONG PERIODS. IT WILL TAKE ITS TOLL ON THE METAL.
So you couldn't just remove the firebox and save the rest?
I have way expected you to shoot it at some point. Jokes aside thanks for the video and guilt tripping people that don't give proper tlc to their pits. Myself foremost, thanks man.
I like your profile image.
Looks like someone bought a house that came with a "free pit".
Gator dont play no $h@%!
where the volume go...
Why would you keep the same grill for 15 years